FROM    THE   LIBRARY   OF 

REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY    HIM   TO 

THE    LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


DM*     ^c 

SectM    /¥Lf$7 


Our  Flag 


Our  Flag 
Our  Rose 

—  AN 

Our  Country 


AND 


\V 


FEB    4  1933 


y\ 


&*■ 


— >, 


■Rt»« 


J® 


WITH    OTHER    SONGS 


john  Mcdowell  leavitt 


NEW   YORK 


BONNELL,  SILVER  AND   COMPANY 

No.  48  West  Twenty-Second  Street 

1906 


Copyright,  1906,  by 
John  McDowell  Leavitt 


To 

Bit  hia 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/ourflagourroOOIeav 


OUR   FLAG 

Wave,  Flag  of  Beauty !  starred  on  High, 
Our  Fathers  gave  thee  to  the  sky 

Mid  storm  and  night : 
Baptized  with  blood,  in  battle  torn, 
If,  oft  thy  folds  were  stained  and  worn, 
Yet  on  to  triumph  were  they  borne, 

And  Freedom's  light. 

Fly,  Flag  of  Freedom!    Where  a  spot 
In  darkness  did  thy  beauty  blot 

No  stain  we  see. 
With  thanks  to  Heaven  our  song  we  raise : 
All  nations  swell  the  voice  of  praise ! 
Each  star  gives  splendor  to  the  blaze 

Of  Liberty. 

Float,  Flag  of  Promise,  o'er  a  world 
The  pledge  of  Freedom  wide  unfurl'd 

On  land  and  sea! 
Float  on,  forever  gone  thy  stains ! 
Float  on  'til  Earth  has  burst  her  chains ! 
Float  on  while  Heaven  bends  o'er  our  plains ! 

Thine  Eagle  free! 
I 


Our  Flag  of  Glory,  fly  no  more 
Where  mid  mad  battle's  thunder-roar 

We  brothers  slay ! 
Glow  love  in  souls  where  once  glared  ire ! 
Then  never  will  a  star  expire 
Until  the  heavens  in  final  fire 

Have  passed  away. 


OUR   ROSE 

Our  Rose  of  Beauty,  Queen  of  flowers, 
What  make  thy  regal  hues? 

Is  it  the  drops  of  summer  showers, 
Or  sparkles  of  the  dews? 

Oh,  can  that  dark,  repulsive  earth, 
Which  'round  thy  roots  is  seen, 

Give  this  delicious  fragrance  birth, 
And  paint  thy  living  green? 

Or  do  these  whispers  of  the  air 

Waving  thy  graceful  stem, 
A  beauty  give  which  kings  despair 

To  purchase  in  a  gem? 

Perchance  from  golden  realms  of  light 
Some  glancing  sunbeam  weaves 

This  bloom  of  glory,  rich  and  bright, 
That  lingers  in  thy  leaves. 

Or  with  the  blushes  of  the  morn 

From  heav'n  an  angel  flies 
To  spread  these  colors  which  adorn, 

The  rivals  of  his  skies. 
3 


Can  a  celestial  spirit  hide 

Now  in  thy  circling  bloom, 
And  lift  thy  stem  in  stately  pride, 

And  shed  thy  sweet  perfume? 

My  Queenly  Rose !   What  mystic  power, 
What  more  than  regal  birth, 

Brings  thee,  a  perishable  flower, 
The  homage  of  the  earth? 

Eternal  thought  of  God  thou  art, 

His  beauty  to  enshrine! 
The  charm  that  binds  thee  to  each  heart 

Resistless,  is  divine. 


OUR    COUNTRY 

Come,  Freedom's  sons,  unite, 
Where  waves  our  Flag  of  Light, 

One,  strong  and  true! 
Ours  is  the  furnace-blast! 
Ours  is  the  old  world's  past! 
Ours  is  the  work  to  cast 

All  into  new. 

'Twas  o'er  the  far  East  first 
The  light  of  Empire  burst 

In  Orient  gleams; 
But  Westward  since  its  way ! 
Here  let  it's  glories  stay, 
Back — flashing  earth's  grand  day 

In  Freedom's  beams ! 


LIBERTY 

Tis  not  the  chain  that  makes  the  slave, 
Since,  dared  the  tyrant's  might, 

Mid  dungeon-gloom  will  lie  the  brave 
In  liberty  and  light. 

And  let  the  baffled  tyrants  know 
That,  while  the  flesh  they  kill, 

Each  scorching  flame,  each  mangling  blow, 
Triumphant  makes  the  will. 

The  martyr-victor  they  behold 

Majestic  in  his  chain, 
Unawed  by  power,  unbought  by  gold, 

Unterrified  by  pain. 

If  Wrong  a  universe  could  pile 

On  his  exulting  soul, 
Amid  a  wreck  of  worlds  he'd  smile, 

Uncrushed  beneath  the  whole. 


ADIEU! 

Fling  out  the  sail !  the  breeze  is  on  the  sea ! 

Fresh  as  young  morn  hope  dances  in  each  heart  ; 
My  native  shore,  a  tear  will  drop  for  thee, 

Though  bright  this  blush  of  dawn  that  bids  us  part ! 

I  see  her  gay  wing  flutter  for  our  start, 
And  flies  our  ship  above  the  sun-lit  tide; 

Adieu !   Adieu !  far  from  the  noisy  mart, 
O'er  the  blue  deep  to  other  climes  we  glide, 
To  seek  the  bloom  of  health  as  Heaven  may  smile  and 
guide. 

High  climbs  the  sun  along  his  path  of  fire, 
And  with  his  crimson  glory  stains  the  bay! 

A  pinnacle  of  light  he  makes  each  spire, 
And  sparkles  from  the  foam  upon  our  way, 
And  o'er  the  city  flames  in  brighter  day. 

Farewell,  fond  hearts !   Ye  glowing  isles,  farewell ! 
Love's  farewell  beauty  seems  oe'r  all  to  play; 

Now  breasts  our  ship  the  ocean's  mystic  swell ! 

Adieu,  ye  fading  shores !  How  long,  oh,  who  may  tell ! 


AWAY! 

Away  !   Away !  on  the  wings  of  the  wind 

We  bound  o'er  the  blue  of  the  sea. 
Away !  oh,  away !  but  never  to  find 

A  land  like  the  home  of  the  free. 
A  mist  on  mine  eye !    A  mist  on  yon  shore ! 

A  mist  o'er  the  ocean  and  sky ! 
Away!  yet  away!  bright  climes  smile  before! 

Hope  breathes  in  our  sails  as  we  fly. 

Away!  yes,  away!  though  leave  we  the  spot 

Where  parting  was  thrill'd  with  its  kiss ! 
Away !  still  away !  but  never  forgot 

The  tear  that  gave  rapture  to  bliss. 
Heaven  bind  as  we  fly  bright  wings  on  each  hour 

To  waft  'round  the  circle  of  earth! 
Away !  oh,  away !   Guard  Almighty  Power 

Our  home  and  the  land  of  our  birth ! 


SONG   OF   THE    LIGHT 

Oh,  long  did  Old  Night  rule  o'er  all  in  his  might, 

Sitting  black  as  the  robe  of  his  gloom, 
And  the  atoms  did  play  in  their  wild,  wild  way, 

Yet  of  life  e'en  as  void  as  the  tomb. 
Then  God  said,  Let  Light  be !  and  forth  I  flasrTd  free 

In  my  glory  forever  to  shine; 
And  'tis  life  I  will  bring,  and  joy  on  my  wing, 

While  the  robe  of  creation  is  mine. 

My  dazzle  of  rays  hides  the  Ancient  of  Days 

In  the  clouds  that  encircle   his  throne; 
My  mantle  of  beams,  in  it's  brilliance  of  gleams, 

But  by  me  could  be  woven  alone. 
Each  seraph  must  shine  in  my  halo  divine, 

And  I  bind  him  around  with  his  robe; 
Nor  shimmers  a  star,  nor  a  sun  flames  afar, 

Unless  I  will  engirdle  its  globe. 

And  the  rainbow  I  form,  and  paint  on  the  storm, 
And  I  curve  'round  each  glittering  hue, 

Where  the  Maker  Divine,  pavilion'd  doth  shine 
In  the  splendor  which  I  o'er  Him  threw. 
9 


Lo!  wide  Nature  I  fill  with  joy's  keenest  thrill, 

And  the  songs  of  the  angels  inspire; 
Nor  a  harp  can  be  found,  nor  a  lip  to  give  sound, 

If  my  beam  will  not  kindle  the  fire. 

Through  these  atoms  so  dark,  when  flashes  my  spark, 

Lo !  a  thousand  round  worlds  shall  be  born, 
To  sweep  and  to  turn,  and  to  beam  and  to  burn, 

And  Til  cheer  them  with  even  and  morn. 
I'll  see  this  wide  gloom,  ever  blossom  and  bloom, 

When  my  suns  in  their  glory  arise, 
And  the  light  here  shall  beam,  and  life  here  shall  teem, 

Where  eternal  the  smile  of  the  skies. 


10 


DAY 


MORNING 


The  twilight  dim 
Lines  ocean's  brim; 
And  stars  from  sight 
Hide  in  the  light, 
Whose  burnish'd  gold 
O'er  heav'n  is  roll'd. 
As  the  sun  above  the  sky 
Lifts  his  royal  head  on  high. 
His  beamy  way, 
Where  splendors  play 
With  flaming  ray, 
Makes  radiant  day. 
As  the  dewdrops  glow 
On  the  flowers  bent  low, 
And  the  sunbeams  flash 
Where  bright  rivers  dash, 
Hark !  the  groves  warble  loud 
To  the  lark  in  his  cloud, 
And  rosy  morning's  voice 
Bids  waking  earth  rejoice. 
II 


NOON 

That  monarch  sun, 
His  race  half  run, 
Sits  throned  in  light 
On  the  heav'n's  height : 
A  crown  of  beams  about  his  head, 
Bright  robes  of  glory  'round  him  spread ! 
Now  the  shadows  grow  small 
From  the  quivering  wall, 
And  field  and  hill 
With  heat  are  still. 
How  the  pulse  of  the  world  beats  exhausted  and  low ! 
How  the  breath  of  the  world  comes  hard,  panting  and 

slow ! 
How  the  face  of  the  world  is  one  broad  burning  glow ! 
While  the  day,  in  his  ire, 
Like  a  furnace  of  fire, 
Scorches  noon. 

EVENING 

On  the  earth  a  holy  hush, 
On  the  sky  a  purple  blush 
Soft  eve  proclaim. 

12 


Down  the  golden  gates  of  day 
Sinks  the  sun  with  slanted  ray. 
From  yon  wooded  hill 
In  the  twilight  still 
Cries  the  whippoorwill. 
The  night-owl  in  his  oak 
Hears  the  frog's  solemn  croak ; 
The  crickets  chirp,  the  beetles  drum 
'Til  earth  is  lull'd  with  insect  hum. 
As  shadows  deeper  grow, 
And  the  winds  whisper  low, 
Hush!  with  that  fading  light 
Eve  sinks  away  in  night! 

MIDNIGHT 

The  silent  stars  are  in  the  sky, 
The  moon  amid  her  clouds  rides  high, 
Whose  quivering  light — soft,  bright  and  still- 
Silvers  the  vale  and  bathes  the  hill. 

Comes  through  the  dark 

The  night-dog's  bark, 

While  mortals  sleep 

In  slumbers  deep. 
The  fox  steals  forth  with  stealthy  tread; 
Beneath  his  wing  the  fowl's  dull  head. 
13 


Where  rivers  flow 

The  mists  creep  low. 

Now,  dreams  invade 

From  realms  of  shade, 
As  midnight's  awful  shadow  has  its  birth, 
To  wrap  like  death  in  deeper  sleep  the  earth. 


14 


LIFE 

INFANCY 

Deep  in  a  cavern  of  the  earth 
My  little  stream  has  mystic  birth, 
Then  flows  to  sight 
In  morning  light. 
Where  leaning  trees  with  arching  tops  ascend, 
And  o'er  a  mossy  rock  dim  shadows  blend, 
With  perfume 
In  the  gloom, 
Emerging  comes  my  boat 
In  waters  bright  to  float. 
Beneath  a  smiling  sky 
'Mid  roses  soft  I  lie, 
While  wings  of  Hours  waft  by. 
Gay  flowers  on  either  side  the  waters  kiss, 
Whose  quiet  shadows  sleep  the  types  of  bliss, 
Xor  gentle  clouds  that  sail  above  I  miss, 
Too  fair  in  beauty  for  a  world  like  this. 
With  form  most  bright, 
And  brow  of  light 
To  calm  my  fears, 
An  angel  steers. 
15 


As  with  dimpled  cheeks  I  glide, 

Where  soft-rippling  flows  the  tide, 

And  sweet-scented  breezes  chide, 

Lo!  heav'n's  seraph-bands  preside, 
Waving  their  golden  wings  while  childhood,  pure  and 

bright, 
A  brilliant  morning  vision  floats  across  the  sight. 

YOUTH 

Brighter  the  roses  flush ; 
Deeper  the  cloud's  red  blush 
As  I  glide 
O'er  the  tide. 
Let  yon  angel  on  the  land, 
In  his  foolish  sorrow,  stand, 
Since  no  more  I  need  his  hand. 
Adieu,  every  fear ! 
My  own  boat  I  steer ! 
Faster,  ye  Hours ! 
Strain  all  your  powers ! 
Hands  try! 
Feet  fly ! 
Wings  vie 
Till  we  fly,  till  we  fly, 
Like  clouds  upon  the  sky! 
16 


At  my  boat  of  oak 

Let  age  snarl  and  croak ! 

Against  von  shore 

Let  waters  roar! 

With  wild  turmoil, 

Ye  whirlpools  boil ! 

And  demons  stare, 

In  hellish  glare ! 
See !  smiling  far  above 
Are  Fame,  and  Wealth,  and  Love ! 

Scorning  measure 

Brilliant  Pleasure, 
Her  temple  in  the  sky, 
With  its  dome  bright  and  high, 
A  glory  in  mine  eye. 

Builds  for  youth  ! 

MANHOOD 

A  wildering  glare 
Blinds  in  the  air ! 

The  lightnings  dazzling  flash ! 

How  the  deafening  thunders  crash  ! 

Wild,  hungering  billows  dash! 
Xo  angel  guide 
Smiles  at  my  side ! 
17 


But  avaunt,  grim  Despair! 
Earth's  perils,  all  I  dare, 
And  man's  life-burden  bear ! 
Ye  torrents  roar  and  rave ! 
Your  madness  I  will  brave, 
And  ride  each  murderous  wave ! 
Then,  lightnings,  swifter  fly! 
Storms  wilder  rend  the  sky ! 
Rush,  waters,  wilder  by! 
Your  fury  I  defy ! 

Should  Ruin's  shock 

Creation  rock, 
While  helps  my  own  right  hand, 
God,  make  my  manhood  stand! 


AGE 

Life's  fires  have  ceased  to  glow! 
My  feebled  pulse  beats  slow! 
This  silver'd  head  bows  low ! 

My  shatter'd  boat 

Just  keeps  afloat! 
Return'd  Life's  angel  sheds  on  me  his  ray, 
And  steers  my  age  to  his  celestial  day ! 
18 


If,  dark  'round  me, 
Rolls  thy  far  sea, 
Eternity, 
Through  thy  gloom,  thick  and  high, 
From  its  own  supernal  sky, 
Heaven  pours  its  blaze  of  beams 
'Til  Earth  a  glory  seems. 
Leaving  the  Form  Divine,  'round  which  they  bend, 
My  guarding  angels  now  on  me  descend ! 
With  them  I'll  soar  to  bliss  above, 
Where  Age  will  turn  Immortal  Youth 
As  Christ,  it  sees,  Incarnate  Truth, 
And  Life,  and  Everlasting  Love. 


19 


SONG  OF  THE  FOURTH  CREATION-DAY 

Cry  aloud  !    Cry  aloud !    All  hail  the  Kingly  Sun ! 
On  his  throne  without  a  cloud  his  high  reign  he  hath 

begun. 
Cry  aloud !   Cry  aloud !  the  cherubim  should  sing ; 
May  this  monarch,  bright  and  proud,  life  and  glory 

ever  fling ! 

In  whispers  we  will  sing  as  comes  the  Queen  of  Night. 
Oh,  how  beautiful  a  thing!  like  a  spirit  of  the  light! 
Lo,  breathe  the  softest  string,  as  bright  she  lifts  her 

face! 
As  she  sails  without  a  wing,  and  for  ages  be  her  race ! 

Oh,  be  mute !   Oh,  be  mute !  the  stars  are  in  the  sky. 
Oh,  stop  the  harp  and  lute  as  their  glory  passes  by ! 
They  glitter  as  they  move  along  their  march  sublime ; 
Let  them  fling  their  light  of  love  over  all  the  night  of 
time ! 

To  Him  be  all  the  praise  from  whom  the  splendors 

came! 
Oh,   most  wonderful  his   ways,   and  Jehovah   is   His 

name ! 

20 


Are  His  worlds  o'er  heav'n   sown   like   gems   which 

beauty  grace? 
What,  the  brightness  of  his  throne!    What,  the  glory 

of  His  face ! 


21 


LEAVES 

When  joyous  Spring  first  clothed  the  trees, 

How  beautiful  and  bright 
The  leaves  were  dancing  in  the  breeze 

And  flashing  in  the  light! 

While  Summer  glow'd  with  fiery  breath, 

Fresh  vigor  still  they  found, 
And  laugh'd  away  the  spectre  Death, 

And,  tinkling,  spurn'd  the  ground. 

With  dying  glories  Autumn  came, 

Before  chill  Winter's  gloom, 
And  kindled  his  funereal  flame 

That  decks  leaves  for  the  tomb. 

Now,  crisp'd  and  brown  and  torn  and  dry, 

Sport  of  the  tempest's  breath, 
O'er  earth  and  sky  they  whirl  and  fly, 

As  lone  and  drear  as  death. 

But,  as  from  leaves  in  dark  decay 

Majestic  forests  rise, 
Our  dust  will  spring  in  Christ's  great  day 

Immortal  for  the  skies. 

22 


IN  HEAVEN  A  SONG  OF  HOME 

Oh,  sweet  Home  of  my  Childhood!  I  think  of  thee 

now, 
With  the  light  of  this  glory  so  bright  on  my  brow ; 
Since  God  did  ordain  thee  dearest  place  of  my  birth, 
In  His  Heav'n  I'll  love  thee  even  more  than  on  earth. 

Oh,  Home  of  my  Childhood !  now  the  angels  do  sing 
In  their  rapture  around  the  high  throne  of  their  King ; 
As  I  shine  with  the  throng,  as  I  gaze  through  this 

light, 
How  thy  image  of  beauty  will  float  o'er  my  sight ! 

And  as  long  as  these  ages  eternal  shall  roll 

Their  fresh  tides  of  glory  still  more  bright  o'er  my 

soul, 
Ever,  Home  of  my  Childhood,  thy  mem'ry  shall  be, 
As  years  shall  flow  onward,  so  much  dearer  to  me. 


23 


DEITY 

Our  God  is  templed  in  his  universe : 
Before  crogtion  was  at  thy  command 
Sublime  thy  solitary  majesty! 
All  Being's  chain  begins  and  ends  in  Thee 
From  and  by  and  for  whom  is  existence. 
In  the  wild,  mystic  circuits  of  their  change, 
Impelled  by  Thee,  the  elements  combine. 
Light  shines  thy  glory  circled  in  vast  suns, 
Diffusing  thence  the  life  of  teeming  spheres, 
Whose  myriad  angels  serve  Creation's  King. 
Electric  Force  that  thunders  in  the  clouds, 
And  flashes  over  earth  the  thought  of  man, 
And  moves  all  worlds,  thy  swift  volition  is. 
Form,  Number,  Law  are  what  but  Thee  express'd, 
And  Beauty,  Grandeur  and  Sublimity ! 
Thy  colors  paint  the  world.    Thy  breath  this  breeze. 
Thy  hand  bends  round  the  glittering  rainbow-arch. 
Pillar'd  sublime  in  Thee  the  dome  of  Heav'n ! 
Seasons  from  Thee  roll,  thy  visible  glory. 
Storms,  billows,  earthquakes,  motions  of  thy  will, 
And  souls,  immortal  sparks  struck  out  from  Thee! 
Thy  Power  the  bond,  Thy  Intellect  the  guide ; 
Thou,  Centre,  Life,  Circumference  of  all ! 

24 


ABOVE 

How  the  winds  are  ever  blowing, 
Which  the  flying  clouds  compel! 

How  the  streams  are  ever  flowing, 
Which  unresting  oceans  swell ! 

How  the  ghostly  mists,  ascending, 

Turn  brightest  clouds  on  heaven's  face. 

Dropping  rains,  by  wise  intending, 
Shrinking  rivers  to  replace ! 

Day  and  Night  o'er  earth  are  throwing 
Both  their  brightness  and  their  gloom, 

While  Life  flies  forever  sowing, 
And  Death  harvests  for  his  tomb. 

Seasons  pass,  and  Time,  advancing, 
Makes  the  empires  rise  and  fall, 

'Til  man  sees,  wherever  glancing, 
Desolations  which  appall. 

But  above  are  always  glowing 
Mystic  worlds  serenely  bright; 

With  no  tempests  madly  blowing, 
With  no  shadows  in  our  sight. 
25 


O'er  earth's  changes  they  are  sweeping 

In  serenity  sublime, 
Held  by  Him  within  whose  keeping 

Are  eternity  and  time. 

Ever  could  those  spheres,  decaying, 

Be  hurl'd  back  into  night, 
Man.  believing  and  obeying, 

Thine,  the  Everlasting  Light! 


26 


A    RAINBOW 
Born  of  the  sun  and  rain,  Mysterious  Bow, 
How  silently  thine  arch  is  flung  o'er  heav'n ! 
What  Power  invisible  arrests  the  beams 
Bright — flashing  down  the  sky,  their  hues  untwists, 
And  curves  them  o'er  our  world  in  majesty? 
Round,  matchless  Form !  do  spirits  in  thee  dwell, 
And  bend  thee  o'er  the  sky,  and  weave  thy  charms, 
And  run  along  thy  glittering  sides,  and  smile 
From  thee  o'er  man,  rejoicing  in  thy  peace? 
No !    God  'tis  spreads  in  air  those  tints  of  earth, 
Like  its  soft  green  of  leaves,  its  violet's  hue, 
The  gold  of  fruits,  the  crimson  of  the  rose, 
And  all  the  color'd  garniture  of  seasons. 
'Twas  God  thy  grace  conceived.   God  breathes  thy  hues. 
God  hangs  thee  in  the  clouds,  His  pledge  of  peace. 
He  bends  thee  splendid  o'er  the  lonely  sea, 
In  which  thy  glory  curves  to  tinge  its  waves. 
O'er  boundless  plains  thy  circling  colors  smile, 
Or  soar  aloft  to  span  the  gloom  of  woods, 
While  towering  high  into  thy  gorgeous  tints 
The  spires  of  cities  float.     Grandly  o'er  vales, 
Pillar'd  on  mountain-tops,  great  Bow  of  Light, 
Majestically  high  thy  glory  stands, 
Bright  type  of  Love,  uniting  Earth  and  Heaven ! 

27 


HEAVEN 

On  earth  there  is  in  hearts  a  sigh, 

And  the  dull  throb  of  pain ; 
The  teardrop  trembles  in  the  eye, 

And  falls,  to  fall  again. 

Change  o'er  our  past  his  shadow  threw, 
His  brother,  Death,  was  there; 

And  e'en  the  sparkle  of  the  dew 
Soon  vanish'd  into  air. 

Wild  phantoms  o'er  each  mind  will  rush, 

With  pain  each  body  thrill ; 
And  ere  a  brimming  cup  can  blush, 

Its  tempting  wine  may  spill. 

The  love  that  on  the  warm  lip  press'd 

To  leave  its  tender  kiss, 
Too  soon  leans  o'er  a  cold,  cold  breast, 

And  finds  a  woe  for  bliss. 

In  Heaven  alone  ne'er  fades  the  bloom 

Which  can  defy  decay : 
And  Christ,  who  brings  us  from  the  tomb, 

Will  make  immortal  day, 
28 


THE  REAL  AND  THE  IDEAL 

Can,  O  Spirit,  thine  Ideal 

Be  obscured  by  mists  of  earth, 

While  this  dull,  exacting  Real 
Stifles  a  celestial  birth? 

Why  thrill  senses,  form'd  for  pleasure, 

With  this  agony  of  pain? 
Why  do  powers  without  a  measure 

Never  here  their  best  attain? 

Why  are  plans  forever  failing 
In  this  scene  of  self  and  strife  ? 

Why  are  hearts  forever  wailing, 
Crush'd  beneath  the  load  of  life? 

Oh,  must  man,  to  Heaven  aspiring, 
By  earth's  cares  and  duties  bound, 

Sink,  'til  with  the  struggle  tiring, 
Grovelling,  he  loves  the  ground? 

Christ  thy  trust,  know  all  is  tending, 
Spirit,  to  thy  growth  above ! 

Saved  in  Him,  we  live  ascending 
In  eternal  truth  and  love. 
29 


Jesus  is  man's  Grand  Ideal, 

Bright  beyond  these  clouds  of  time! 
True  to  Him,  on  earth  our  Real, 

Freed  from  self,  becomes  sublime. 


30 


MY    HEART'S    MASTER 

When  Morning  pencils  on  her  bright'ning  sky 

The  first  faint  traceries  of  the  coming  day, 
One  low,  lone  bird  will  thrill  its  melody 

Responsive  to  a  solitary  ray ; 
But  as  the  sun  floods  heav'n  and  earth  with  gold, 

Each  leaf  grows  tremulous  with  exulting  strains, 
That  gushing,  mingling,  swelling  high,  are  roll'd, 

Til  orchestras  burst  out  from  hills  and  dales  and 
plains. 

And  thus  from  some  cathedral's  solemn  walls 

A  single  voice  will  chant  in  melting  tone, 
While  from  a  single  stop  the  organ  calls, 

Thun'drous  and  deep,  its  supplicating  moan. 
Xow !    hark !    each    tongue,    each    key    wakes    music 
'round ; 

Peal  upon  peal,  on  billows  billows  rise, 
Til  all  the  temple  shakes  with  bursting  sound 

From  that  exulting  choir  which  thrills  into  the  skies. 

In  some  lone  vale  of  heav'n  an  angel  strays, 
To  view  its  glories,  musing  in  the  light. 

Xow,  o'er  his  harp  involuntary  plays 

His  trembling  hand — his  lip  moves  to  the  sight. 
31 


One  murmuring  strain  awakes  a  thousand  strings ; 

Lofty  and  full,  a  gathering  tide  soon  breaks ; 
Voice  answers  voice ;  to  seraph  seraph  sings, 

And  mingling  in  the  praise  a  universe  partakes. 

Oh,  thus  I  feel  it  is  within  my  heart. 

Each  mortal  chord  with  earthly  music  thrills ; 
Wife,  parent,  child  and  country  have  their  part; 

When  friendship  strikes  her  string  pure  rapture  fills. 
But  only  Christ,  my  Master,  wakes  the  whole ; 

Can  touch  each  key,  can  harmonize  each  tone, 
And  by  his  Cross  stir  love  through  all  my  soul, 

To    burst,    Immortal    King,    in   songs     around    thy 
throne ! 


ISRAEL'S    MARCH-WORD 

Forward!  'tis  Jehovah's  cloud 

Leads  Israel  to  the  sea ! 
Forward!  Egypt,  fierce  and  proud, 

Clanks  chains  behind  the  free! 

Forward !  Waves,  thy  mountain- walls, 
Shall  tower  along  thy  way ! 

Forward !  when  thy  Maker  calls 
'Tis  madness  to  delay. 

Forward!  where  yon  guiding  glow, 
For  you  makes  safe  the  deep, 

Pharaoh's  minions,  buried  low, 
Beneath  the  waves  shall  sleep. 

Forward !  in  yon  cloud  and  fire 
Jehovah  makes  his  shrine. 

Forward !  neitiier  stop  nor  tire, 
And  what  is  best  is  thine. 

Forward,  Israel !  fear  no  foes ! 

Thy  rest  is  o'er  the  sea ; 
Milk  there  with  the  honey  flows; 

The  grape  there  waits  for  thee. 
33 


Forward !    Heav'n's  own  fire  shall  die ; 

And  Heav'n's  own  manna  cease ; 
Then,  Jehovah  thy  supply, 

Thy  Bread,  thy  Light,  thy  Peace. 


34 


FAITH 

What  curious  bosom  never  throbbed  to  roll 
Mysterious  darkness  from  the  burden'd  soul  ? 
Who  would  not  tear  his  being's  veil  away, 
And  burst  to  light  in  truth's  eternal  day? 
Oh,  who  glows  not  with  burning  wish  to  find 
Where  tend  these  restless  energies  of  mind — 
Where  point  these  mystic  passions  and  desires 
That  hide  in  every  breast  their  wasting  fires? 

Faith  lifts  each  cloud,  the  void  of  life  supplies, 
Sheds  light  on  earth,  and  leads  us  to  the  skies. 

What  secret  power,  with  universal  force, 
Can  atoms  join,  and  worlds  keep  in  their  course? 
True  as  the  spell  that  points  to  Heaven  a  soul, 
What  makes  the  needle  tremble  to  the  pole — 
Beams  in  the  twilight-star  with  golden  ray, 
And,  flashing  from  the  sun,  sheds  'round  the  day? 
Or  tell,  what  power  invisible  can  bind 
Insentient  matter  to  immortal  mind  ? 

Lo,  Science  points,  where,  quivering  o'er  the  sky, 
With  vivid  joy,  the  frantic  lightnings  fly, 
And  finds  through  worlds  electric  forces  reign, 
To  bind  creation  in  one  mystic  chain. 

35 


Thus,  in  the  spirit-world,  with  sovereign  sway, 
Faith  rules  and  calls  its  energies  in  play; 
Over  the  unseen  empire  has  control — 
Explains,  pervades  and  regulates  the  whole. 

Turn  where  we  may,  the  curious  eve  surveys 
Through  the  wide  circles  of  the  social  maze — 
From  the  lone  hut,  where  squalid  misery  pines, 
To  where,  in  pride,  the  splendid  palace  shines ; 
From  the  drear  isle,  where  rude  barbarians  dwell, 
To  lands  where  Science  breathes  her  magic  spell — 
Each  living  link  in  our  vast  human  round, 
To  the  whole  chain  by  Heav'n's  deep  wisdom  bound, 
'Til  trust  in  others,  from  our  infant  breath, 
Through  all  life's  sorrows  to  the  shades  of  death, 
Joins  man  to  man,  forms  ties  of  sacred  love, 
And  points  us  to  eternal  worlds  above. 

Faith,  too,  in  SELF,  when  obstacles  oppose, 
Which  in  the  breast  of  modest  genius  glows, 
Alone  can  fire  the  daring  soul  for  flight 
Beyond  the  clouds  that  veil  the  fields  of  light. 
Let  dark  Distrust  enjoy  her  shadowy  reign — 
Let  fears  of  failure  haunt  the  troubled  brain, 

36 


The  arm  will  lose  its  force,  the  mind  its  fire, 
And  every  lofty  scheme  in  right  expire. 
When  Danger  scowls,  when  Penury's  chill  frown 
Palsies  the  heart,  and  weighs  the  spirit  down; 
When  withering  scorn,  the  jeer  of  silly  mirth, 
Would  drag  the  bold  adventurer  back  to  earth, 
O'er  doubts  triumphant,  and  unmoved  by  sneers, 
His  eye  will  brighten  'mid  a  mist  of  tears. 
On  Faith's  exultant  wing  behold  him  rise 
And  drop  his  prophet-mantle  from  the  skies ! 

Illustrious  Hope !  my  brighten'd  glance  descries 
Thy  glittering  pinions  wave  before  mine  eyes. 
Radiant,  I  see  thy  graceful  image  where 
Yon  son  of  genius  sinks  into  despair. 
'Tis  thine,  indeed,  to  bid  the  shades  depart, 
That  cloud  his  brow  and  agonize  his  heart ; 
'Tis  thine  with  glowing  pictures  to  inflame 
Immortal  ardors  for  the  wreath  of  Fame ; 
'Tis  thine  the  Future's  curtain  to  unroll, 
And  stream  bright  glories  on  the  hero's  soul ; 
But  soon  thy  colors  fade,  thy  visions  fly 
Like  painted  vapors  when  a  breeze  may  sigh, 
Unless,  with  loftier  brow  and  nobler  mien, 
Majestic  Faith  descends  to  rule  the  scene. 

37 


Yes !  thou,  inspiring  Faith,  in  trial's  day, 

When  night  draws  'round,  and  storms  burst  on  our 

way ; 
When  from  their  depths,  in  rage,  wild  oceans  rise, 
And  dash  malignant  fury  to  the  skies ; 
Thou,  Faith,  like  Him,  whose  majesty  confess'd, 
Hush'd  by  his  word,  as  God,  the  waves  to  rest — 
Dost  calm  our  fears,  dost  turn  our  raptured  sight 
Where  tempests  never  sweep  in  paths  of  night. 

Let,  blissful  Faith,  thy  magic  wand  but  wave, 
Point  through  the  Cross  to  Him  beyond  the  grave; 
Griefs  bloom  with  joys,  bright  rainbow-lustres  play : 
Despair  then  smiles  and  midnight  turns  to  day. 

See,  as  they  part,  yon  mother  kiss  her  boy! 
While  sighs  delay  the  word  that  clouds  her  joy, 
She  cries,  though,  from  her  eyes  the  tears  will  flow, 
As  clasp  her  arms  the  form  most  dear  below — 
"My  son,  when  first  thy  little  lip  I  press'd 
A  mother's  love  was  bliss  within  my  breast. 
What  joy  thrill'd  through  my  heart  and  mingled  pride, 
As  stretch'd  thy  hands  above  thy  cradle's  side, 
While  o'er  thy  cheeks  bright  smiles  the  roses  chase, 
Reflected  from  thv  hovering  angel's  face. 

38 


Laid  on  the  grass,  I  see  thine  image  now, 
And  boyhood's  curls  wave  clustering  o'er  thy  brow. 
Now,  trust,  my  son,  since  manhood  bids  us  part, 
And  veils  with  sorrow's  shade  my  widow'd  heart, 
Oh,  trust,  when  tempests  darken  trial's  day, 
Thy  father's  God  and  mine  to  guard  thy  way." 
He  goes,  while  filial  tears  his  cheeks  suffuse, 
Flush'd  with  his  youth  his  path  of  life  to  choose. 
And  when  Temptation  spreads  her  glittering  snare, 
When  Pleasure  smiles  to  drag  him  to  despair, 
A  Mother's  Faith,  his  shield  in  peril's  hour, 
Defies  a  world,  and  baffles  demon-power. 

And  when  tornadoes  burst  from  angry  clouds, 
When  lightnings  leap  across  the  vessel's  shrouds ; 
When  thunders  peal  wild  answers  to  the  waves, 
And  ocean,  lash'd  to  madness,  yawns  with  graves ; 
When  Hope  forsakes  and  agonizing  cries 
Above  the  battling  elements  arise, 
At  home  the  wife  bids  storms  no  longer  blow ; 
Her  Faith  chains  down  the  seas  that  rave  below, 
And  spreads  the  sail,  and  willing  makes  the  breeze 
Speed  him  most  loved  safe  o'er  peaceful  seas. 

What  breast  the  brilliant  vision  never  knew 
That  gilds  earth's  future  with  Hope's  radiant  hue ! 

39 


Yes !  oft  we  see  our  world's  dark  veil  unroll'd, 
And  peaceful  glory  crown  an  age  of  gold. 
From  time's  first  dawn  the  varied  cycles  share 
A  dream  that  lifts  our  race  from  its  despair, 
Since,  in  each  soul  immortal  wish  has  birth, 
And  yearns  the  glow  of  Heav'n  to  spread  o'er  earth. 

What  power  omnipotent  shall  burst  our  chain, 
And  o'er  our  world  make  Love  resplendent  reign? 
Can  Science,  with  her  orient  ray,  dispel 
A  gloom  that  blackens  like  the  shades  of  hell? 
Our  Reason,  in  her  wisest  laws  expressed, 
Has  never  tamed  the  passions  in  man's  breast; 
Xot  hers  to  bind  wild  nations  to  her  car 
Triumphant  o'er  the  self  that  makes  earth's  war. 
Above  Time's  clouds,  Bright  Faith,  I  see  thy  form 
Tower  from  thy  sun-lit  rock  amid  the  storm ; 
High  in  thy  hand  the  Word  of  God  appears 
To  gild  earth's  darkness  with  Sabbatic  Years. 

In  Promise  armored,  Faith,  I  hear  thy  cry, 
Peal  like  an  angel-trumpet  from  the  sky : 
"My  Christian  warriors,  go!    Your  standard  raise, 
'Til  over  earth  millenial  glories  blaze ! 
Where  stormy  winters  sweep  around  the  pole, 
And  suns,  unsetting,  weary  circles  roll; 

40 


Where  Nature  painted  in  her  torrid  ray 

Seems  gorgeous  as  the  morn-clouds  of  the  day, 

Lift  high  the  Cross !    Let  Brahma  raise  his  fanes 

And  torture  flesh,  and  sadden  India's  plains ; 

While  Boodh's  dark  millions  in  their  temples  bend, 

In  hope  that  nothingness  may  be  their  end. 

Let  China's  torches  in  the  midnight  glare. 

And  demons  mock  mid  ruins  they  prepare ; 

Let  Moslem  crescents  o'er  Judea  glow, 

And  Turkish  vengeance  fatal  death-bolts  throw ; 

Let  crimson'd  tyrants  redden  in  their  gloom, 

Arm'd  with  their  flames,  to  make  for  Faith  a  tomb, 

Yet,  Heav'n  your  shield,  my  Christian-warriors,  go! 

The  earth  your  battlefield  and  hell  your  foe ; 

Lift  high  the  Cross,  and  Science  now  will  rise 

To  hail  our  Gospel-Angel  as  he  flies; 

And  Life's  immortal  pages  from  her  hand 

Shall  be  Salvation's  seed  in  every  land, 

While  news  shall,  flashing,  fly  along  each  wire 

Of  nations  baptized  with  the  Spirit's  fire. 

Lift  high  the  Cross !     Soon  War's  death-trumpet  no 

more 
Shall  peal  its  battle-notes  from  shore  to  shore ; 
Xo  chain  shall  clank,  no  superstitions  throw 
Grim  spectral  shadows  o'er  a  world  of  woe. 

41 


Lift  high  the  Cross !    'Til  Truth  shall  scatter  night, 
And  Love's  bright  morn  shed  universal  light; 
From  clime  to  clime  one  wide  effulgence  stream, 
And  Heav'n  and  Earth  commingle  in  the  beam. 

All-conquering  Faith !  thy  hand  has  tamed  the  wave ; 
Has  snatch'd  from  death  and  his  corrupting  grave; 
Thy  word  has  calmed  the  tempest's  boisterous  force, 
And  stopp'd  the  sun  in  his  eternal  course : 
Nay!     Moved  the  God   who  guides   with  boundless 

might 
The  vast  creation  wheeling  in  his  sight ; 
And  Fie  must  rule,  with  master-power  and  art, 
The  warring  passions  of  each  human  heart. 
Omnipotence  alone  in  Christ  can  bind 
The  waves  and  tempests  of  the  deathless  mind. 

Offspring  of  Faith,  Immortal  Love,  oh  bring 
A  world  in  penitence  before  her  King. 
Her  sin  remitted,  earth  shall  yet  arise, 
And  fling  a  conquering  banner  to  the  skies. 

Triumphant  Faith !   Let  Science  from  her  throne 
Show  Nature's  wonders  'round,  from  zone  to  zone; 
On  tireless  pinions  bear  the  spirit  far, 
To  circle  space  and  visit  every  star ; 

42 


And  sweep  with  Fancy  on  a  bolder  wing. 
Beyond  where  Reason  soars,  or  Angels  sing— - 
All  theirs  is  thine — but  wider  thy  embrace — 
Yon  glittering  worlds  shall  weary  in  their  race ; 
Our  earth  shall  burn,  her  skies  shall  melt  away, 
And  new  creations  have  their  passing  day ; 
But  from  these  wrecks  of  fire  my  Faith  descries 
Eternal  glories  o'er  each  ruin  rise. 


43 


MATIN 

When  morning  with  her  ray 
Flashes  the  golden  day, 
Let  our  glad  thanks  arise 
Bright-glowing  as  her  skies! 

And  when  the  bird  songs  swell 
From  field,  and  hill,  and  dell, 
Earth,  in  loud  chorus  raise 
Thy  matin-strain  of  praise ! 

With  incense  of  the  flower 
Breathed  from  the  wood  and  bower, 
O,  send  my  heart  above 
Sweet  fragrances  of  love. 

And  as  the  King  of  Light 

The  Earth  and  Heav'n  makes  bright, 

Blest  Jesus,  by  thy  grace, 

May  we  behold  thy  face ! 


AA 


VESPER 

When  evening  stillness  brings  the  dew, 
Ere  shadows  veil  a  world  from  view, 
Calm  let  my  whisper'd  Vesper  rise 
As  the  hush'd  earth,  and  twilight  skies! 

With  the  low  murmur  of  the  stream 
Which  ripples  in  the  moon's  first  beam, 
May  the  pure  current  of  my  soul 
To  thee,  my  God,  serenely  roll ! 

While  Heav'n  with  stars  bends,  vast  and  bright, 
Aw'd  by  the  majesty  of  night, 
Reverent  in  earth's  temple  now 
Before  Omnipotence  I  bow. 

Thus  when  the  universe  is  found 
With  solemn  darkness  veil'd  around, 
To  Jesus  through  the  gloom  I'll  soar, 
And  with  a  tranquil  love  adore. 


45 


THE    MARTYR'S    PRAYER 

While  weighs  the  weary  chain, 
And  creep  my  limbs  with  pain, 

Chill'd  by  the  place ; 
Tears  gushing  from  mine  eyes, 
A  prayer  breathes  through  my  sighs, 
And  climbs  into  the  skies — 

Jesus,  thy  grace! 

The  grass,  the  flower,  the  stream, 
The  blushing  morning's  beam, 

A  mother's  face, 
With  my  home  pure  and  bright, 
All  rush  across  my  sight, 
As  I  cry  from  this  night — 

Jesus,  thy  grace ! 

Dark,  dark,  dark  here  I  lie, 
Shut  out  from  earth  and  sky 

To  end  life's  race ; 
Cold,  cold,  cold  is  this  stone, 
Where  chains  clank  to  my  moan, 
And  these  walls  hear  me  groan — 

Jesus,  thy  grace! 

46 


But,  Savior,  through  my  night, 
A  promise  beams  with  light, 

And  shows  thy  face ; 
Lo !  a  bright  gleam  of  gold ! 
I  see  the  gates  unfold ! 
Heav'n's  glory  I  behold ! 

Jesus,  thy  grace ! 


47 


THE    MARTYR'S    TRIUMPH 

The  sullen  river  moans 

By  these  deep  dungeon-stones 

So  drearily! 
Yet  fetter'd  by  my  doom 
Within  the  midnight  gloom 
Of  this  cold  prison-tomb — 

My  soul  is  free! 

Let  tyrants  screw  the  rack 
'Til  twist  my  limbs,  and  crack 

With  agony ! 
One  thought  shall  not  depart 
While  crushing  breaks  my  heart, 
And  life-drops  burst  and  start — 

My  soul  is  free! 

And  should  the  morrow's  fire 
Flash  round  my  head  in  ire 

'Mid  demon-glee, 
That  note  shall  swell  the  same 
Through  the  wild  roar  of  flame 
Which  wraps  my  writhing  frame — 

My  soul  is  free! 

48 


Oh,  when  I  spring  away 
To  an  eternal  day 

And  Jesus  see, 
Then  singing  will  I  soar, 
Where  tyrants  harm  no  more, 
And  smiles  the  golden  shore — 

Mv  soul  is  free ! 


49 


CHRISTIAN    LOVE 

Child  of  Heav'n,  Immortal  Love, 
Flashing  from  the  throne  above, 
Wing'd  with  light,  appear,  appear ! 
Sweetly  smile  away  each  tear ! 

Jesus,  warm'd  by  Thee,  my  breast, 
With  the  Spirit's  life-breath  blest, 
Melts  with  thanks,  and  burns  with  praise, 
While  joy  gilds  my  happy  days. 

Duty  now,  and  death,  and  hell 
With  no  slavish  fear  compel; 
Jesus  with  his  smile  constrains ; 
In  temptation's  hour  sustains. 

With  His  Love,  life's  path  how  bright ! 
Sweet  the  cross,  the  burden  light; 
Death  no  longer  frowns  in  gloom ; 
Glory  gilds  beyond  the  tomb. 


50 


A  PRAYER  IN   DARKNESS 

Father!  to  Thee  I  cry 

With  burning  brow, 
The  prayer,  the  tear,  the  sigh 

Must  move  Thee  now. 

Around,  what  mountains  rise ! 

What  clouds  appear ! 
Wild  tempests  sweep  my  skies, 

And  wake  my  fear. 

Oh !  bid  these  rocks  divide — 

These  billows  cease ! 
Oh !  make  these  storms  subside, 

And  whisper  peace ! 

Lo!  Jesus  clears  my  way; 

Shines  through  my  night, 
His  smile  turns  gloom  to  day; 

Brings  peace  and  light. 

Hail,  Jesus,  brother,  God! 

Through  Thee  this  grace! 
I  kiss  thy  Father's  rod, 

And  see  his  face. 
5i 


THE  FACE  OF  JESUS 

Jesus,  the  glory  of  thy  face 
In  Heav'n  now  brightest  beams ; 

But  shining  thence  with  radiant  grace 
Wide  o'er  Creation  streams. 

Jesus,  what  films  are  on  mine  eye ! 

It  cannot  catch  one  ray ; 
And  earth-clouds  hang  along  my  sky 

To  hide  from  me  thy  day. 

Yet,  Jesus,  from  within  the  veil 
Faith  brings  Thee  to  my  heart, 

Till,  when  in  death  this  flesh  shall  fail, 
Til  see  Thee  as  Thou  art. 


52 


A  SAVIOR'S   SYMPATHY 

Why  dread  the  glance  of  cynic  man 
When  fails  and  dies  each  cherish'd  plan? 
Why  should  the  stinging  word  and  sneer 
Start  from  mine  eye  one  trembling  tear? 

Let  Fame,  and  Wealth,  and  Worldly  Power 

Be  wither'd  like  a  morning  flower; 

Let  golden  visions  sink  in  night, 

As  clouds  when  fades  the  evening's  light — 

Let  friends  withdraw',  and  earth  appear 
A  chilling  prison  dark  with  fear, 
Where  weep  my  eyes  when  feels  my  heart 
Man's  trusted  love  in  scorn  depart — 

Yet,  Jesus,  in  my  lonely  gloom, 
I  will  recall  on  earth  thy  tomb; 
Then  see  in  Heav'n  a  tender  eye 
That  marks  my  sorrow  from  the  sky. 

Oh !  if  no  bruis'd  and  weeping  rose 
Unseen  by  Thee  its  fragrance  throws, 
Then,  Jesus,  then,  on  time's  drear  wild 
Is  known  to  Thee  a  suffering  child. 
53 


JESUS  BLESSING  TRIALS 

Oh  !  Lord  Jesus,  fierce  my  fire ! 

But  'tis  flame  refines  thy  gold ; 
Burn  away  each  vain  desire, 

And  to  thy  bright  image  mould! 

If,  Lord  Jesus,  loud  the  blast, 

Tempests  make  thy  trees  more  strong, 

Root  into  the  mountain  fast, 

Vigors  breathe,  and  life  prolong. 

'Though,  Lord  Jesus,  hard  the  stroke, 

Let  the  beaten  anvil  ring ! 
When  the  chain  of  sin  is  broke, 

Free  and  glad,  my  soul  shall  sing. 

Touch,  Lord  Jesus,  into  light 
Grains  which  on  thy  censer  lie! 

Fire  must  make  their  blackness  bright, 
And  with  fragrance  fill  the  sky. 

As,  Lord  Jesus,  earth's  young  seed 
Looks  to  Heaven  for  shower  and  dew, 

Oh !  refresh  me  in  my  need ! 
With  the  Holy  Ghost  renew! 
54 


RESIGNATION 

Father!    I  all  to  Thee  resign, 

And  seek  thy  will  alone ; 
Hush,  struggling  heart,  nor  dare  repine ! 

Thy  God  is  on  the  Throne. 

He  leads  a  way  I  would  not  choose, 
Where  thorns  and  rocks  appear. 

Shall  I  his  guidance  hence  refuse? 
Be  dry  thou  gathering  tear ! 

What  though  the  storm,  the  cross,  the  fire, 

Arise  along  my  way? 
My  Father's  will  I  yet  desire, 

And  look  for  realms  of  day. 

With  grateful  joy,  with  bursting  praise, 

In  Jesus  loved  below, 
I  burn  the  loftier  strain  to  raise 

Where  angels  sing  and  glow. 


55 


LOOKING  UNTO  JESUS 

When  Guilt  my  suffering  soul  weighs  down, 

Jesus,  one  look  to  Thee, 
Dispels  the  Father's  righteous  frown, 

And  sets  my  conscience  free. 

When  Sorrow's  cloud  spreads  o'er  my  sky, 

And  gathers  round  my  heart, 
Jesus,  to  Thee  I  lift  mine  eye ! 

A  look — the  shades  depart. 

And  in  Temptation's  dreadful  hour 

When  Earth  and  Hell  unite, 
Jesus,  a  look  arms  me  with  power, 

And,  lo,  my  foes  take  flight. 

When  at  Life's  close,  Death's  dark,  cold  wave 

Around  my  head  shall  roll, 
Jesus,  a  look  to  Thee  will  save 

A  sinking,  shivering  soul. 

And  when  beyond  these  realms  of  night, 

Jesus,  I  soar  to  Thee, 
A  look  through  thy  eternal  light 

Thine  image  gives  to  me. 

56 


THE  MERIT  OF  JESUS 

Sinai's  flame  no  longer  now 
Blazes  wrath  around  my  brow  : 
Now  the  Law  with  fiery  breath, 
Cries  not  for  eternal  death. 

Not  my  groans,  my  griefs,  my  fears, 
Not  soft  penitential  tears, 
Not  confession  of  my  sin 
Could  deserve  this  peace  within. 

Vigils,  crosses,  prayers  were  vain 
To  dispel  sin's  secret  pain ; 
All  we  do,  think,  suffer,  feel, 
Sin's  deep  wound  can  never  heal. 

Did  the  Spirit's  graces  bloom, 
Shed  o'er  earth  their  rich  perfume, 
Bright  as  Heav'n's  own  roses  spring, 
These  could  not  our  pardon  bring. 

Could  our  lives  like  those  above 
Glow  with  holiness  and  love, 
Angel-virtues,  pure  and  high, 
Never  could  Salvation  buy. 
57 


Jesus,  thy  shed  Blood  alone 
Merits  at  thy  Father's  throne ; 
Takes  the  guilt,  the  stain  away, 
Sealing  to  eternal  day. 


58 


THE    GOD-MAN 

Jesus,  as  man,  thy  blood  I  feel 
Flow'd  from  a  kindred  vein; 

And  ev'ry  drop  was  shed  to  heal 
A  brother's  wound  and  pain. 

Jesus,  as  man,  thy  soul  did  know 

In  life,  in  death,  for  me, 
Each  sickling  gush,  each  writhing  throe 

Of  mortal  agony. 

Jesus,  as  God,  thy  nature  gave 

All  merit  to  atone : 
And  grace,  and  light,  and  power  to  save 

Through  Thee,  our  Lord,  alone. 

Jesus,  as  God,  we  Thee  adore 
Whose  glories  matchless  shine, 

And  blend  in  one  for  evermore 
The  Human,  and  Divine. 


59 


COME  TO  JESUS 

Child  of  tears,  oh,  cease  thy  weeping, 

Ev'ry  sin  on  Jesus  cast! 
Linger  not  the  burden  keeping 

Thou  must  give  to  Him  at  last! 
All  delay  increases  danger; 

Heavier  makes  thy  load  of  guilt; 
Oh !  be  then  no  more  a  stranger 

To  the  blood  for  thee  He  spilt. 

God's  Law  hast  thou  often  broken? 

Oft  the  death  of  Christ  refused? 
When  the  Holy  Ghost  has  spoken, 

Was  his  whisper'd  love  abused? 
Jesus  on  his  Cross  atoning, 

All  these  sins  on  Him  were  laid ; 
Useless,  then,  and  vain  thy  groaning 

If  in  blood  thy  debt  He  paid. 

Still  dost  stand  in  doubt  delaying? 

Cannot  life-drops  melt  thy  heart? 
"It  is  finish'd !"  hear  Him  saying! 

Flesh  and  soul  for  thee  do  part. 
60 


Moves  thee  not  a  Savior  dying? 

Let  His  grave  persuade  thy  trust ! 
There,  for  thee,  behold  Him  lying — 

God  Incarnate  in  the  dust! 

Angels  stand,  and  cry,  "Amazing! 

Cross,  nor  tomb  his  faith  may  gain!" 
Oh,  then,  doubter,  upward  gazing, 

On  his  Throne  behold  Him  reign ! 
Jesus  there,  not  mocked,  and  bleeding, 

Nor  in  mortal  weakness  lies ; 
But,  in  glory  interceding, 

Draws  thee  to  Him  in  the  skies. 

Yield  thyself,  and  now,  believing, 

Pardon  have  through  Jesus'  death; 
And,  the  Holy  Ghost  receiving, 

Thou  art  born  by  God's  own  breath. 
Hark!  to  Heav'n  fly  seraphs  singing! 

Let  them  tell  the  joy  abroad 
'Till   a  universe  is   ringing 

O'er  a  sinner  brought  to  God! 


6i 


IMMORTALITY 

Be  hushed  before  the  face  of  death, 

When  a  life  he  bears  away: 
Removes  from  mortal  lips  their  breath, 
Parts  a  spirit  from  its  clay — 
Shivering,  quivering 
Into  day! 

One  last  fond  look  it  turns  to  earth, 

All  the  past  before  its  eyes, 
And  then,  with  an  immortal  birth, 

Bursts  from  gloom  to  Paradise — 
Filling,  thrilling 
i  With  surprise. 

Oh !  there  uncloth'd  it  lives  bright  years 

While  in  dust  the  body  sleeps ; 
On  clouds  a  Great  White  Throne  appears ! 
High  the  Judge  majestic  sweeps, 
Lightening,  bright'ning 
Heav'n's  far  deeps ! 

See,  starts  the  body  from  its  clay 
In  immortal  beauty  bright! 
62 


And  wing'd  the  soul — it  cannot  stay- 
Fills  the  flesh  with  living  light, 
Blending — ending 
Death,  and  night ! 


63 


JESUS  OUR  RESURRECTION 

Jesus,  Lord,  in  might  excelling, 

Thou  by  whom  all  worlds  were  made, 
Thine  own  Godhead  in  Thee  dwelling 

On  my  dust  shall  be  displayed. 
As  all  things  by  Thee  are  bounded, 

And  as  all  exist  in  Thee, 
After  death,  by  Thee  surrounded, 

Shall  my  flesh  immortal  be. 

Thou  who  hung  the  stars  in  glory, 

Round  our  earth  yon  heav'ns  who  drew : 
Seraphs  shaped  to  tell  the  story 

Of  thy  love  forever  new : 
Thou  wilt  watch,  though  widely  flying, 

Over  worlds  my  dust  may  fall; 
Thou  wilt — time  and  space  defying — 

Back  the  wandering  atoms  call. 

Shall  each  pulse,  O  Jesus,  beating 
With  the  power  Thou  dost  impart 

Waked  from  death,  still  throb  repeating 
This  same  storv  of  thine  art? 

64 


If  my  form  be  now  amazing, 
Bright  my  risen  flesh  must  be, 

When  upon  thy  glory  gazing 
I  thine  image  fix  in  me. 


65 


LAMB  OF  CALVARY 

See,  Heaven  opens !    Now,  behold 
Blazing  far  bright  lamps  of  gold 

O'er  the  crystal  sea! 
From  the  throne,  light-circled  o'er, 
Lightnings  flame  and  thunders  roar, 
While  thy  name  swells  evermore, 

Lamb  of  Calvary! 

Yes !    Though  mock'd  and  crucified, 
Onward  flows  Salvation's  tide 

Over  Heaven  from  Thee! 
Thrill  from  Thee  its  bursts  of  praise ! 
Smile  from  Thee  its  bliss-bright  days ! 
Beams  from  Thee  its  glory's  blaze, 

Lamb  of  Calvary! 

Harps  of  Heaven  assist  our  song! 
Saint  and  seraph  roll  along 

This  great  joy  with  me ! 
Thousand  thousand  voices  sound ! 
Hear  creation's  farthest  bound! 
Burst  thy  praise  eternal  sound, 

Lamb  of  Calvary! 
66 


JESUS,  MY  GOD 

Jesus,  my  God,  Redeemer,  King, 

Shall  I  thy  glory  see? 
Cans't  Thou  from  dust  a  brother  bring, 

To  dwell  in  light  with  Thee? 

Myself  I  yield,  renounce  my  sin, 

I,  in  thy  Blood  believe! 
Thy  Holy  Spirit  seals  within 

The  pardon  I  receive. 

When  Death  shall  come  and  open  wide 

The  gate  of  Life  to  me, 
I  shall,  amid  the  glorified, 

Thy  face,  my  Savior,  see. 

King  over  all,  with  Godhead  bright, 
We,  brothers  round  thy  throne, 

Will  sing  in  everlasting  light 
The  Blood  that  saves  thine  own. 


67 


ADVENT 

All  nature  feels  the  glad  surprise; 

God  in  our  Flesh  we  soon  shall  see ! 
Earth  shout  it  upward  to  the  skies, 

And  let  the  joy  immortal  be! 

Ye  Jews  and  Gentiles  both  prepare ! 

Jesus  a  world  will  come  to  save : 
His  Cross  for  all  He  will  declare 

Who  conquer  through  His  death  the  grave. 

Now  dawns  the  time  glad  prophets  told! 

Now  types  and  shadows  pass  away, 
As  vanish  morning-beams  of  gold 

Lost  in  the  brightness  of  the  day. 

Ye  sons  of  earth,  your  hearts  attune, 

And  angels  wake  in  Heav'n  each  string! 

Our  Jesus  ye  must  welcome  soon 
In  strains  which  suit  a  God  and  King. 


68 


NATIVITY 

Oh  !  Bards  of  the  Bible,  dim  is  your  story 
Of  Jesus  our  God  a  babe  on  the  earth! 

And,  angels,  ye  catch  but  glimpses  of  glory 
Where  lingers  yon  star  to  beam  o'er  his  birth. 

The  shadows  and  types  at  last  disappearing, 

The  long  night  of  earth  grows  bright  with  morn's 
ray; 

See,  mists  of  ages  from  mortals  are  clearing! 
Lo !  bursis  o'er  our  world  the  sun  of  Life's  day ! 

Fly,  angels  of  love,  o'er  yon  heav'ns  fly  singing, 
And  thrill  all  the  worlds  with  notes  ye  must  raise ! 

Ye  sons,  too,  of  earth,  your  rich  tributes  bringing, 
That  infant  your  God,  adore  while  ye  praise! 

Say  on  a  Cross  He  must  hang  for  man  bleeding! 

Say  He  must  sleep  in  the  gloom  of  the  grave ! 
Yet,  on  the  throne  of  his  light  interceding, 

Immortal  in  glory,  Jesus  will  save. 

Creator,  that  babe,  will  come,  all  beholding, 

Our  Judge  on  his  throne  bright-flashing  with  fire : 

And  to  his  people  forever  unfolding 

Will  reign  God  their  King  when  suns  shall  expire. 

69 


THE  CRUCIFIXION 

Can  men  their  own  Redeemer  slay? 

Can  rebels  pierce  his  hands 
Who  formed  the  sun  to  flash  their  day, 

And  rules  the  angel-bands? 

Can  God  Incarnate  bleed  and  die, 
Mock'd  by  the  men  He  made? 

While  seraphs  serve  Him  in  the  sky, 
Shall  He  in  earth  be  laid? 

Shall  they  to  whom  He  gives  each  breath, 
And  pulse  and  power  to  will, 

Use  now  their  life  to  cause  His  death, 
And  curse  Him  as  they  kill? 

Nay !    God  they  own  Him  while  He  dies ; 

He  shakes  the  earth  He  stains ; 
While  from  his  Cross  burst  anguish-cries, 

Rocks  rend  before  His  pains. 

The  sun  He  form'd  He  turns  to  gloom, 
And  makes  the  night  His  veil ; 

He  calls  the  dead  to  leave  the  tomb 
And  hear  the  living  wail. 
70 


Then  burst  His  grave  and  death  in  chains, 

Our  Jesus  mounts  His  throne ; 
And  there  a  King  forever  reigns, 

Whom  saint  and  seraph  own. 


7* 


,     THE    RESURRECTION 

Angel!  roll  the  stone  away! 

Lo!  the  tomb  is  open! 
Jesus  comes  forth  into  day, 

And  death's  power  has  broken. 
Hallelujah! 

Earth  could  not  her  Maker  hold, 

Jesus,  King  of  Glory ; 
Nor  decay  his  form  enfold, 

And  hell  hear  the  story. 
Hallelujah! 

God  in  man  for  death  too  strong! 

Mortals  tell  rejoicing! 
Angels  roll  the  joy  along, 

Your  past  songs  outvoicing! 
Hallelujah! 

Jesus,  we  in  Thee  will  rise, 

To  thy  glory  taken, 
And  immortal  in  the  skies 
Strains  immortal  waken. 
Hallelujah ! 
72 


THE    ASCENSION 

All-gextly  lifted  through  the  air, 

Majestic,  Jesus,  see! 
How  could  the  earth  confine  Him  where 

Both  sin  and  death  must  be? 

God  in  our  Flesh  could  only  rise 
From  these  dark  scenes  of  wo, 

And  bear  a  glory  to  the  skies 
Outdazzling  all  below. 

Ascending,  smiles  beam  o'er  his  face, 
And  earth,  which  pierced  his  heart, 

Beholds  his  hands  drop  down  their  grace, 
And  with  a  blessing  part. 

The  mountain-top  glows  round  with  light 

As  up  his  people  gaze, 
Until  a  cloud  hides  Him  from  sight 

Where  brighter  splendors  blaze. 

Let  Heav'n  her  gates  wide-open  fling! 

Ye  Angels,  throng  on  throng, 
Take  to  his  Throne  with  shouts  our  King, 

And  glory  be  your  song! 

73 


PENTECOST 

Immortal  Jesus!  on  thy  throne 
Encircled  with  thy  glorious  light, 

Not  Heav'n  makes  Thee  forget  thine  own, 
Since  in  thine  absence  earth  is  night. 

Behold  them  kneel!  behold  them  pray! 

A  hush  of  stillness  in  the  room; 
Thy  Promise  shines  a  beam  of  day, 

And  Faith  brings  Thee  to  light  their  gloom 

But  hark!  prevails  that  wrestling  plea: 
It  parts  the  sky  thy  throne  to  move, 

And  calls  the  Holy  Ghost  from  Thee 
To  conquer  with  thy  cross  of  love. 

Without,  the  storm,  the  tongue,  the  fire! 

Within,  a  nobler  flame's  bright  glow, 
To  burn  from  hearts  each  base  desire, 

And  kindle  Heav'n  on  earth  below. 

The  Holy  Ghost  will  dwell  with  men : 
O'er  Jew  and  Gentile  spread  his  wing 

'Till  Jesus  to  our  world  again 

Comes  on  his  clouds,  and  reigns  our  King. 
74 


JESUS  OUR  PRIEST 

See  the  burning  temple  fall ! 

Types  consume  by  God  appointed ; 
Jesus  is  a  Priest  for  all : 

Him  the  Holy  Ghost  anointed. 
He  came  down  for  man  to  bleed : 
He  arose  for  man  to  plead. 

Earth  the  altar  where  He  dies, 
And  his  temple  now  Creation; 

Perfect  his  great  Sacrifice 
Made  for  all  in  ev'ry  nation. 

For  a  world  the  Gospel-feast! 

For  a  world  this  last  High  Priest ! 

Not  the  blood  of  beasts  is  shed : 
Thus  no  more  is  sin  forgiven : 

Jesus  once  for  all  was  dead : 

Aloft  He  took  our  Flesh  to  Heav'n. 

On  his  cross  He  did  atone, 

And  will  save  us  from  his  throne. 

Sinners,  now  dispel  your  fears ! 
Jesus  see  on  earth  hang  bleeding! 
75 


Cannot  this  make  dry  your  tears  ? 

Then  in  Heav'n  behold  Him  pleading ! 
He  who  died,  can  but  forgive ; 
Look  on  Him,  believe,  and  live! 


76 


THE  LAST  BAPTISM 

Not  the  water  from  the  fountain 

Takes  away  a  stain  of  sin ; 
Brightest  drops  of  vale  or  mountain 

Never  yet  made  pure  within. 
Oh !  Lord  Jesus  from  the  skies 
With  the  Holy  Ghost  baptize! 

Human  words  in  music  flowing, 
Void  of  grace,  no  hearts  unite; 

While  the  Truth,  when  hate  is  glowing, 
Leaves  behind  a  burn  and  blight. 

Oh !  Lord  Jesus  from  the  skies 

With  the  Holy  Ghost  baptize! 

What  shall  heal  the  wounds  of  ages, 
Spread  o'er  earth  the  reign  of  love, 

And  breathe,  e'en  when  Satan  rages, 
All  the  calm  of  Heav'n  above  ? 

Oh !  Lord  Jesus  from  the  skies 

With  the  Holy  Ghost  baptize! 

See!  the  day  of  light  is  breaking! 
Savior,  soon  thy  Church  be  one! 
77 


Hark !  a  sigh  in  all  is  waking ; 

It  shall  burst,  and  reach  God's  throne. 
Oh!  Lord  Jesus  from  the  skies 
With  the  Holy  Ghost  baptize! 


78 


JUDGMENT 

Lo !  the  mighty  Heav'ns  are  bending 
With  the  weight  of  glory  there ; 

Clouds  of  angels  fly  attending 

Up  the  Great  White  Throne  to  bear. 
Flames  are  flashing, 

And  loud  thunders  burst  through  air. 

Hark!  the  trump  of  Christ  is  sounding! 

Heav'n  and  Earth  before  Him  flee! 
And  the  dead  crowd  forth  surrounding 

From  the  land,  and  from  the  sea ; 
All  are  bending — 
Slave  and  King  both  on  the  knee ! 

See  the  seal  of  ages  broken 
And  each  mortal  life  display'd ! 

Lo !  the  Book  of  God  is  open ! 
By  his  eye  is  all  survcy'd ! 
His  scale  lifting, 

Ev'ry  human  soul  is  weigh'd. 

Ah!  the  judgment- work  is  ended: 
Fix'd  eternal  life,  and  death ! 
79 


Fly  to  Heav'n,  or  Hell  attended 
All  whoe'er  drew  mortal  breath ! 
Time  is  finished ! 
Thus  the  voice  Almighty  saith. 

High  the  Great  White  Throne  returning, 

Jesus  reigns  forever  King; 
Now  the  globe  and  sky  are  burning! 

Hence  new  Heav'ns  and  Earth  shall  spring. 
Hallelujah ! 

Let  creation's  praises  ring! 


80 


THOU    HOLY    DOVE! 

Bright  o'er  my  heart  a  ray — 
Sweet  morning-beam  of  day, 

Came  from  above, 
To  show  through  tears  my  sin, 
The  Life  of  God  begin, 
And  shed  thy  Light  within — 

Thou  Holy  Dove! 

Oh !  Thou  who  waked  from  death, 
My  birth  was  from  thy  breath, 

To  peace  and  love ! 
That  Jesus'  Blood  I  share, 
Descend  and  witness  bear, 
And  seal  me  son  and  heir — 

Thou  Holy  Dove! 

While  I  a  pilgrim  go 
Through  this  wild  scene  of  wo, 

And  homebound  move, 
Bright  on  thy  Word  still  shine ! 
Show  God  the  Father  mine, 
And  breathe  thy  love  divine — 

Thou  Holy  Dove! 
81 


Oh !  when  Life's  day  is  o'er, 
And  earth  can  help  no  more, 

Come  Thou  in  love! 
Spread  o'er  thy  peaceful  wing, 
And  thy  deep  comfort  bring, 
'Till  I  in  glory  sing — 

Thou  Holy  Dove! 


82 


OUR    HOME 

The  melting  Heav'ns  are  robed  in  fire : 

The  solid  Earth  is  burning ! 
Creation  is  a  funeral  pyre 
To  Chaos  wild  returning. 
Day  prophets  saw : 
Day  dread  of  awe, 
And  ire. 

But  when  the  flames  have  roll'd  away 

No  sun  again  bursts  beaming : 
Bright  flashes  what  eternal  ray 

Where  moon  nor  star  are  gleaming  ? 
Christ  fills  the  sight ; 
Christ  is  the  light, 
And  day. 

Round  the  new  Earth  new  Heav'ns  now  bend 

Or  saints  in  glory  glowing ; 
Pure  souls  to  bodies  beauty  lend 
In  bliss  and  brightness  growing : 
To  part  never  ; 
In  light  ever 
To  blend. 

83 


But  from  our  world  bright  we  will  roam 

The  universe  wide-winging; 
While  Heav'n,  all  light,  smiles  down  our  dome, 
And  hears  our  praises  ringing — 
Earth  supernal; 
Earth  eternal, 
Our  Home! 


84 


VISIONS  OF  SOLYMA: 

OUR   CELESTIAL    CITY 

In  man  there  is  a  deep  time  cannot  fill : 
A  throb  in  eyes  for  charms  they  never  see : 

In  ears  an  ache  for  strains  that  not  yet  thrill : 
A  sigh  in  hearts  for  something  yet  to  be 

As  long  and  vast  as  our  eternity. 

Time  mocks  the  dream  it  never  can  destroy, 

And  we  the  visions  chase  fast  as  they  flee ; 
Illusive  shadows  lead  where  no  alloy 
Mars  that  immortal  state  in  which  to  live  is  joy. 

Imperial  genius  burns  with  secret  fire: 

Ideal  Beauty,  chasing,  seeks  in  vain : 
The  phantom  near'd,  intenser  makes  desire, 

But,  ever  miss'd,  wakes  agonizing  pain. 
The  sculptor's  marble  which  his  wreath  doth  gain, 

But  leaves  a  hunger  in  the  artist's  breast; 
And  magic  pictures  which  o'er  ages  reign, 

The  painter  lure  to  dreams  that  give  no  rest. 

Yes !  Art  triumphant  most  wears  crowns  the  most 
unblest. 

Solyma,  in  Thee,  is  man's  Ideal  found ! 
Eternal  Beauty  flashes  on  our  sight, 

85 


Where  Music  breathes  her  bliss  in  every  sound. 

Imagination,  pinnacled  in  light, 
May  rest  her  wing  on  the  creation's  height. 

Sublimed,  each  sense  has  that  for  which  it  pined 
In  hopeless  ache  'mid  time's  old  curse  and  blight. 

Ethereal  all  and  for  all  bliss  refined, 

A  universe  attuned  thrills  each  immortal  mind. 

In  vision  once  the  brilliant  City  shone 
Bathed  in  its  beauty  of  celestial  light; 

Not  dull  with  tarnislrd  time-decaying  stone. 
Its  gold  and  gems  flash'd  down  on  my  sight 
The  beams  of  Him  whose  face  dispels  the  night. 

Thee,  Solyma,  I  saw,  Creation's  Queen, 

More  dazzling  than  the  sun  when  noon  is  bright, 

And  by  a  dim  and  mortal  vision  seen, 

The  city  blinds  the  eye  with  its  resplendent  sheen. 

Around  each  storm  was  hush'd,  nor  roared  one  sea, 

And  smiled  above  the  blue,  eternal  skies, 
While  all,  from  pain  and  death  forever  free, 

Had  look  more  sweet  than  that  of  Paradise. 

Music  mine  ear,  and  Beauty  thrill'd  mine  eyes, 
And  forms  of  grace  shone  in  celestial  glow, 

No  teardrop  trembled,  and  no  lip  breathed  sighs ; 
86 


But  in  each  heart  love's  whisper  soft  and  low — 
Thy  river  of  Salvation  one  everlasting  flow ! 

Hast  thou  look'd  on  the  Alps  while  yet  the  Spring 
Left  on  their  sides  the  white,  long-lingering  snow, 

As  down  some  mountain-gorge  the  sun  did  fling, 
In  floods  the  splendors  of  his  parting  glow 
That  made  the  steeps  and  peaks  to  turrets  grow  ? 

A  glittering  city,  floating,  seemed  in  air, 
And  angels,  in  its  light,  to  come  and  go, 

Until  a  cloud  veils  o'er  the  pageant  rare, 

Where  symbols  in  the  skies  immortal  things  declare. 

Tis  thus  in  time,  with  our  earth-vision  dim, 
Would  musing  men  on  Alpine  heights  behold, 

O,  Solyma,  a  dazzling  image  swim 

Of  thy  gem-flaming  walls  and  streets  of  gold, 
To  be  remember'd  when  thy  charms  unfold. 

And  yet  how  poor  at  eve  that  mountain-sight, 
Beside  the  glories  in  my  dream  unroll'd, 

When  Beauty  smiled  in  Solyma,  the  bright, 

And  o'er  the  city  poured  her  Everlasting  Light ! 

Yes !  in  that  dream  I  saw  all  things  made  new. 
The  same  and  not  the  same  did  earth  appear ; 

87 


Then  glowing  a  vast  sun  she  blazing  grew, 
And  in  her  light,  my  soul  more  large  and  clear. 
I  felt  my  body,  with  a  wondering  fear, 

Chang'd  to  my  spirit  form  and  yet  mine  own. 
I  was  an  essence  of  a  loftier  sphere, 

Flashing  around  the  splendors  which  there  shone, 

Where  things  terrestrial  lost  are  in  celestial  known. 

Mine  eye  reach'd  far  with  sights  of  beauty  fill'd ; 

Mine     ear    drank,    now,    the   sounds    for    which   it 
yearn'd. 
Each  nerve  intense  was  with  a  rapture  thrill'd, 

'Til  in  my  joy  my  being  glow'd  and  bunrd. 

What  once  took  years  was  in  quick  moments  learn'd. 
With  glance  dilate  and  wide  as  time  and  space 

To  my  Ideal  Manhood  I  was  turn'd, 
Yet  made  angelic  in  my  form  and  face — 
My  mortal  beauty  robed  with  an  immortal  grace. 

And  now  I  saw  within  the  City's  gate, 

Whose  pearl  was  turning  on  its  hinge  of  gold, 

A  shining  One  time  could  not  emulate ; 
Yet,  like  myself,  a  man  of  human  mould, 
Transfus'd  with  light  'til  dazzling  to  behold, 
88 


Such  that  the  splendors  which  around  him  blaze 

Beam  from  within,  and  as  they  still  unfold 
I  see  on  him  a  diadem  of  rays 
Crown  one  who  shines  a  type  of  man's  eternal  days. 

Not  o'er  our  earth  on  faces  sits  repose. 

Impatience  clouds  and  flashes  from  the  eye, 
And  o'er  each  feature  passion  changes  throws. 

E'en  when  the  man  is  throned  in  majesty 

A  pain  along  his  tortured  nerves  will  fly, 
To  show  the  worm  amid  the  monarch's  pride. 

Not  in  a  world  where  death  his  work  may  ply 
Can  peace  in  human  hearts,  or  looks,  preside, 
To  breathe  eternal  calm  o'er  time's  unrestful  tide. 

In  that  celestial  form  I  knew  a  soul 
Fix'd  in  its  God  and  to  its  centre  true. 

If  once  a  storm  around  was  heard  to  roll, 
All  now  was  still  as  heaven's  aerial  blue, 
When  ceas'd  a  lark  which  sang  beyond  my  view. 

A  victor  in  life's  war,  now  hush'd  its  roar, 

Immortal  hence  his  crown  he  conscious  knew, 

Where  change  can  come  not,  nor  a  whirlwind  more 

Dash  out  its  envious  rage  upon  a  waveless  shore. 

89 


He  smiled  and  look'd  as  I  have  seen  the  day 

When  burst  the  young  sun  from  his  golden  shroud, 

To  send  down  on  the  world  a  flashing  ray, 
Which,  tinting  morning  on  her  crimson  cloud, 
Awaked  the  sleeping  birds  to  warble  loud ; 

As  if  the  king  of  heav'n,  o'erbrimm'd  with  joy, 
Darted  his  beams  amid  a  feathery  crowd, 

To  thus  benign  their  tuneful  throats  employ, 

And  one  glad  chorus  raise  without  earth's  sad  alloy. 

Now,  as  I  gaze,  bursts  music  on  mine  ear, 

As  I  have  heard  in  some  cathedral  hymn. 
Lo,  myriad  angel-shapes  in  light  appear ! 

Transfigured  mortals  these,  in  grace  and  limb, 

To  their  Ideal,  visible  in  Him, 
From  whom  their  manhood  finds  and  takes  its  all, 

And  from  wrhose  Godhead's  glory  to  the  rim 
Of  his  creation  rays  will  robing  fall, 
And  their  own  beauty  give  to  what  we  lovely  call. 

Where  crowns  are  flashing  and  the  palm-leaves  wave, 
I  saw  the  glorified  in  white  array 'd, 

To  sing  round  Him  who  died  and  rose  to  save. 
A  hallelujah,  for  that  grace  display 'd, 
Burst  from  my  lips,  and,  when  the  word  was  said, 
90 


A  universe  roll'd  on  the  triumph-sound, 

Whose  music  to  creation's  limit  stray 'd, 
And  thriird  celestial  hosts  with  joy  around, 
Til  not  a  silent  harp  or  voiceless  lip  was  found. 

Sometimes,  when  Evening  sets  her  golden  star 
In  the  blue  bosom  of  an  Alpine  lake, 

From  a  dim  mountain-cliff,  heard,  high  and  far, 
A  musing  shepherd's  song  will  softly  break, 
And  soon  the  echoes  of  the  rocks  awake. 

Lip  answers  lip,  and  sound  replies  to  sound, 
And,  as  new  breasts  new  inspirations  take, 

That  twilight  music  swells  and  spreads  around, 

Until,  from  peak  to  peak,  the  melodies  rebound. 

Thus,  Solyma,  on  thy  resplendent  hill, 

One  angel-strain  rose  floating  first  in  air ; 

One  angel-lip  then  quiver'd  to  the  thrill, 
But  that  a  flame  of  glory  kindled  there, 
And  mingling  myriads  in  the  joy  did  share. 

Hark!    Hallelujahs  ring  from  height  to  height, 
As  cherubim  to  seraphim  declare 

A  bliss  that  burns  through  all  the  worlds  of  light, 

'Til  this  celestial  song  a  universe  made  bright. 

91 


Majestic  Father!    Thee  we  praise! 
O'er  all  Paternal  Godhead  Thou ! 
While  cherubim  with  glory  blaze 

We  lowly  bow. 
Our  Father,  we  adore 
Thee  from  Thyself  alone, 
Invisible  for  evermore, 

And  yet  our  own. 

Almighty  Son,  'tis  Thee  we  see 
In  One,  Thou  Human  and  Divine! 
The  Father's  image  beams  in  Thee! 

His  glory  Thine! 
Creator,  Thee,  we  praise ! 
Redeemer,  Thee,  we  love ! 
Our  God  made  Flesh  on  Thee  we  gaze 

In  light  above. 

Eternal  Spirit,  Thee,  we  bless! 
Forever,  Thou  Proceeding  One! 
And  from  the  Father  Thee  confess, 

And  from  the  Son ! 
O,  Breath  of  Life  and  Love! 
O,  God  by  whom  we  sing ! 
Our  Earth  shall  rest,  Thou  Holy  Dove, 

Beneath  thy  wing! 
92 


Glory  to  Father  and  to  Son, 
And  to  the  Spirit  ever  be! 
The  Everlasting  Three  in  One, 

And  One  in  Three. 
Jehovah,  each  we  sing ! 
Jehovah,  all  adore! 
And  to  our  God  Triune  will  bring 

Praise  evermore! 


93 


